Anger at boys’ Nazi display

SOFIA: Bulgarian authorities said they were investigating photographs that appear to show a child making a Nazi salute and another with a swastika on his chest at the country’s soccer cup final.

The images of the shirtless boys standing at the national stadium on Wednesday, in front of the crowd of supporters of the Levski Sofia team, caused a public outcry after being posted online. One has his arm raised in what looks like a Nazi salute, and the other a swastika scrawled on his bare chest.

They appear to be well under 10 years old. The Organisation of the Jews in Bulgaria condemned the incident.

In 2012, Levski were fined € 30 000 (R440 000) by European soccer governing body Uefa for racist behaviour by fans during a Europa League match, and the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) fined the club € 19 000 after supporters displayed a banner with a swastika and another marking Adolf Hitler’s birthday. The BFU has been accused of handing Levski symbolic fines for repeated racist behaviour. – Reuters/ African News Agency (ANA)